Electric switch



Oct. 11, 1927. 93'

- A. H. NERO ELECTRIC SWITCH Filed Nov. 15. 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 29 in:i

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1 g limp 7 BY 7 JM M ATTORNEYS ATTORNEY INVENTOR 6 mm '1. w

2 Sheets-Shed 2 I BY v nn-\ I A. H. NERO ELECTRIC SWITCH Filed Nov. 151925 Oct. 11, 1927.

Patented Oct. 11, 1927.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFF-ICE.

ARVID H. NERO, OF NEW BRITAIN, CONNECTICUT, ASSIGNOR TO THE ARROW ELEC-TRIC COMPANY, OF HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT, A CORPORATION OF CONNECTICUT.

ELECTRIC swrrcn.

I Application filed November 15, 1923. Serial Noi 674,923.

My invention relates to electric switches,

I and particularly to switches of the push through type. The object ofmy invention is to provide a simple and efiiclent switch mechanism ofthis character, having an improved snap action, together with anappropriate insulating body on which the mechanism and associatedcontacts are mounted.

In the accompanying drawings Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a-lamp socketin which my invention is embodied in one form;

Fig. 2 is a through;

F ig; 3 is a similar view of the insulating base of the socket showingthe switch mechanism in a diiierent position; i

Fig. 4 is a section on the line 4-4, Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a broken plan view of the socket;

Fig. 6 is an inverted plan view of the upper button of the socket bodyshowing portion of the switch mechanism in position thereon;

Fig. 7 is a plan view of the other button of the socket body showing theswitch spring seated therein;

Fig. 8 is a perspective of the switch frame and associated elements;

Fig. 9 is a broken side elevation of a lamp socket in which my inventionis embodied in modified form;

Fig. 10 is an inverted plan view thereof;

Fig. 11 is a section on the line 1111, Fig. 1; 1

Fig. 12 is a similar view showing the switch mechanism in differentposition;

Fig. 13 is a section on the line 13- 13, Fig. 12';

' Fi s. 14 and 15 are perspective views of tails; and Fig. 16 is aperspective frame.

broken vertical section thereof the switch While I have'illustrated myinvention in" an electric lamp-socket, it will be understood that theswitchmechanism is applicable to fittings of various other types. -Itwill further be recognizedthat the details of construction are subjectto many variations other than those shown in the modificationsillustrated, and that what I claim as my invention is not restrictedtotheJmrt-icular embodiments shown and describe In the constructionillustrated in Figs. 1 to 8, the invention is applied to an electriclamp socket comprising an insulating base formed by two buttons 20 and21 of any suitable insulating material, such as porcelain, one or bothsuitably recessed on their meeting faces to form a switch chamber, andone or both buttons transversely channelled to afford a passageway forthe operating push bar 22 and its associated finger pieces 23 and 24.Mounted on the button 21 is a screw shell 25 for the reception of a lampbase,'or the like, the base flange 26 of the screw shell being engagedby the yoke 27 integral with the ofiset terminal lug 28 which projectsthrough the base flange 26 of the screw shell into a wiring channel 29in which is housed the binding screw 30. The center contact 31 of thesocket is secured by screw 32 or the to form a fixed switch contact 33which enters, and lies against one wall of, the paslike, to the button21, and its base is offset sage 34 formed in the button 21 toaccommometal, from the web of which" are offset in one directionparallel arms 38 and-39 and an intermediate arm 40 offset in oppositedirection, the several arms engaging in appropriate channels in'thebuttons 21 and 20 which thus accurately locate the frame and holdthesame in position with respect to the base. The arm 39 is extended outof the switch chamber and is provided with an 011'- set wire terTn'inalend 41 extending into channel 42 in which the binding screw 43 ishoused.

Underlying the arms 38 and 39 of the switch frame is'the base 44 of theflat metal switch spring, the spring arm 45 of which is bent up from thebase and'terminates in a gabled head having opposite inclines 46' and 47which in the adjusted position' of the parts underlie the cam end 48 ofthe rocker '35. The cam end 48 of rocker 35 rides the gable inclines 46and 47 of the spring and the rocker-is ,thrown thereby with a snapaction.

The operation of'the switch will be readily understood from Figs. 2 and3. In Fig. 2 the rocker is shown incircuit-clcsing position, in whichone side :2: of the cam end 48 of the disc 57 .;-an

16 inclusive, the essential features 0 thereof bears a ainst the incline47 of the switch spring, t e eifort of which maintains the opposite endof the rocker in engagement with the contact 33. Electrical connectionbetween the wire terminal end 41 of the frame and the center contact 31of the socket is thus established through the frame, push bar androcker. When the push bar 22 is shifted to the left by pressure on thefinger piece 24, the rocker 35 is bodily moved therewith. Its angularposition with respect to the ush bar is changed, however, by reason of te engagement of one end of the rocker with the contact 33, while thepush bar is shifted. The cam nose 48 of the rocker therefore rides upthe incline 47 of the spring arm 45, increasing the stress of the latterby reason of its depression. As the cam nose of the rocker passes thgcrest 49 of the spring arm, the incline 46 of the latter exerts itseffort against the opposite side y of the cam nose 48 and throws therocker with snap action away from the contact 33, thus inter.- ruptingthe electrical connection therewith. When it is desired to againcomplete the connection between the rocker and the contact 33, the pushbar 22 is shifted to the right by pressure on the finger piece 23. Therocker 35 is again shifted bodily with the bar 22, but its contact endis now engaged with the arm 39 of the frame. Consequently, as the bar.22 is shifted to the right, the rocker 35 changes its angular position,the contact end thereof sliding upward toward the contact 33. Thismovement causes the nose of the cam end thereof to ride up the incline46 of the spring arm, again stressing the latter by depression, andcrossing the crest 49 as the contact end of the rocker approaches thecontact 33. As the cam nose passes the crest, the rocker is swung withsnap action by the rise of the spring, its incline 47 now engaging theopposite side of the cam nose of the rocker. In the construction shownin Figs. 9 to opera"- tion are retained, the details of constructionbein somewhat modified. In this form the twoutton insulating base isreplaced by a single porcelain button 50 deeply channelled. at 51'forthereceptioni-of the switch mecha-' nism and push bar 52. The screw shell53 is supported upon the base by means of'a yoke 54 which overlies thebase flange 55 and carries thewire terminal strap 56. Overlyin the yoke54 is a disc of insulating fiber, or t e like, 57, towhich is rivetedthe base 58 of the center contact 59-. Extending from. the base 58 is acombined'switch contactand spring 60, which passes around onemarginchamber 51. The centercontact and screw shall are mounted upon thebutton 50 by the sclews 61 which pass through and button 50 on oppositesides of the channel '51 and take" projects; into the switch effected byan inte pivoted at 69 to the push bar 52 and is provided with a cam nose70 which, in the adjusted position of the parts, bears against thespring arm and rides the inclines 71 and 72 thereof at opposite sides ofthe crest 7 3 in a manner analogous to that described in the foregoingconstruction.

The contact end of the rocker 68 plays in a recess 74 in the button 50.Against one wall of the recess lies the contact 75 formed by the oifsetend of the binding screw strap 7 6 which is secured by the screw 77 toone end of the base. A washer 78 of insulating material, such as fiber,is forced into a seat .79 surrounding the passage 74 and serves toexclude dirt and dust from the region of the cooperating contacts.

The operation of this mechanism is subst'antially like that firstdescribed. In Fig. 11 the switch is shown in circuit-closing position,the connection between the wire terminal contact 7 5 and the centercontact spring 60 being I established through the rocker 68. To breakthe connection between these parts, the push bar 52 is shifted to theleft, moving the rocker 68 therewith, and causing its cam nose to passover the crest 73 of the spring 60, which thereupon swings the rockerwith a snap action to the opencircuit position. indicated in Fig. 4, inwhich the contact end of the rocker rests a ainst thestop face v80 ofthe recess 74. en it is desired to establish the circuit a ain, the pushbar is shifted in the opposite irection, thus causing the contact end ofthe rocker to slide on the surface 80 until the cam nose 70 thereofpasses the crest 73 of the spring 60, whereupon the incline 72 of the.spring arm bearing on the opposite side of the cam nose throws therocker against the fixed contact andhmaintains the same in engagementtherewit v In the construction just described, the

rocker affords a direct connection between through the switch frame andpush bar. In

the latter case, however, the engagement between the moving parts andthe frame is sufliciently maintained b the pressure of the springdoinsure good electrical connec- It will be noted that in bothconstructions the support of the rocker on the ash bar is a1 boss strucfrom the push bar andtakmg .into a bearing apernausea ture in therocker. 'The rocker is held on the boss by its confinement between thepush bar and the web of the frame. To receive the movement of the switchbar to open-circuit position, and the constant spring engagement withthe rocker insures its maintenance in both on and of! positions. A widebreak is attained, sufiicient to properly handle a commercial lightingcircuit of the usual voltage.

With the understanding that various modifications may be made in theconstruction which do not depart from what I claim as my invention, Iclaim- 1. In an electric switch, a ush bar having a rectilinearmovement, an inflexible rocker pivoted on said push bar and bodilymovale therewith, together with a s ring havin a sliding engagement withsai rocker an operative to oscillate the latter with a snap action aftera predetermined bodily movement of the rocker by the push bar.

2. In an electric switch, a push bar having a rectilinear movement, aninflexible rocker pivoted intermediate its ends'on said push ar, one endof said rocker having a cam nose, and a gabled spring engaging said camnose of the rocker and serving to throw the latter with a snap action onthe movement of the rocker nose across the crest of the gable by therectilinear displacement of the push bar.

3. In an electric switch, a push bar havin a rectilinear. movement, arocker ivote thereon and bodily movable therewit fixed means enga ed bysaid rocker at opposite ends of its throw and serving to change theangularposition of the rocker with respect to the push bar ondisplacement of the lat ter, together with spring means having a slidingengagement with the rocker and serv ing to com lete with a snap actionthe throw of the roc er initiated by the displacement of the push bar. v

4. In an electric switch, a push bar havin a rectilinear movement, arocker ivote thereon and bodily movable therewit fixed means engaged bysaid rocker at o posite ends of its throw and causing one en of therocker to move in a general direction opposed to that of the push bar ondisplacement of the latter, together with s ring a means having asliding engagement wit the rocker and serving to complete with a snapaction the throw of the rocker initiated by i the displacement of thepush bar.

'5. In'an electric switch, a pushbar having a a rectilinear movement, aframe havin spaced supports in which said bar slides, an a web parallelto the push bar, together with a rocker pivoted on-said push bar and ar-I'BILgOd between the latter and the frame. we

6. In an electric switch, a push bar having a rectilinear movement, aframe havin spaced supports in which said bar slides, an a web parallelto the push bar, together with a rocker pivoted on said push bar andarranged between the latter and the frame web, said web serving toretain the rocker in pivotedengagement with the push bar.

In testimony whereof .I have signed my name to this specification.

' ARVID H. NERO.

